Mattress



S. HARRIS May 3, 1938.

MATTRESS Filed Aug. ll, 1937 Patented May 3, 1938 MATTRESS Siam Harris, Chicago, Ill., assignor of one-half to Esther S. Kraus, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 11, 1937, Serial No. 158,555

2 Claims.

My invention relates to the combination of a mattress having a slidable portion and a recess adapted to removably hold a bed pan inserted therein.

Among the objects of my invention is to create a construction eliminating the necessity of lifting the patient so that the patient may have complete and easy evacuation without embarrassment. To supply a construction for relieving pressure on ulcers and bed sores so as to permit the offending area to heal more rapidly; to provide a construction to accommodate an incontinent patient who may be placed directly over the opening for uncontrolled evacuation; to create a construction whereby the pan is always available upon the mere lateral movement of the covering and slidable section of the mattress, To provide a construction whereby the pan may be removed, cleaned and replaced at any time without disturbing the patient, and such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of my invention, yet I wish it understood that the same is susceptible of modication and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. l is a plan and Fig. 2 a perspective View partly broken away showing my construction and Fig. 3 is a sectional elevatonal view showing the details of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, it comprises a mattress I0 having a soft top covering 20 over a tufted padding 2|, side walls 22 and a base 23 of substantial material such as metal, wood or the like. Under the padding 2l and resting on the base 23 are a plurality of spaced compression springs 24.

The mattress IU has a transverse cut out or recess portion I4 extending from substantially the center of said mattress to and through one of the sides thereof. Suitably attached to the side walls of said recess are; shoulders I3 of metal, wood, plastic or other suitable material. A slidable member II has a soft top covering 25 over padding 26 and walls 21 and base 28 of metal, plastic, wood or the like. Said slidable member II rests normally on shoulders I3 and forms with the body portion of the mattress I0 a substantially level reclining surface for the body of a patient. The slidable member I I has a handle I2, and is adapted to slide outwardly on shoulders I3 to expose the portion of said recess I4 directly thereunder.

The shoulders I3 are attached to the side walls of the recess I4 adjacent their upper portions, and the slidable member I I is just thick enough when resting on said shoulders to form a surface substantially flush and level with the body portion of the mattress Ill. This leaves the recess I4 under the slidable member I I otherwise unlled and free to form passageway I6 leading to the outside. As a guide within said passageway I may provide an incline 29 of metal, wood, plastic or the like with its front end bent downwardly and attached to the base 23 and its rear end supported by the top of an upright member 30 the lower portion of which rests on base 23.

Regardless of whether slidable member II is in the normally closed or in withdrawn and open position, passageway I6 is free and of sufficient dimensions in cross section so that a bed pan may be inserted and/ or withdrawn at any time.

In use let us assume that the patient is lying on the mattress and desires to use the bed pan. All he need do is to move to one side while the nurse pulls handle I2 and moves slidable portion l l outwardly enough on shoulders I3 to expose recess ld. The pan I5 being already in position in recess Ill, the patient may proceed with the evacuation. Upon the patient completing the evacuation he need only move slightly to one side, the nurse pushes slidable portion I l back to normal position and the patient may recline as desired. No lifting of the patient has been necessary. The patient has not been required to assume an unnatural position on a vessel. Lifting, irritation and embarrassment have all been eliminated.

The. bed pan may be removed, cleaned and returned to position at any time without disturbing the patient and even without his knowledge.

With an incontinent patient the recess may be left exposed so that the patient by his own movement may accommodate himself without calling the nurse.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A mattress comprising a body portion, said body portion having a recess, and a passageway leading from said recess to the outer side of said mattress, shoulders attached to the inner walls of said recess and passageway, a slidable portion positioned on said shoulders, said slidable portion when in normal closed position forming with said body portion a substantially level reclining surface for a patient, said slidable portion adapted upon movement to slide outwardly on said shoulders to expose said recess, said recess and saldpassageway both being of sufficient size below said shoulders to permit the entry and'withdrawal of a bed pan without movement of said slidable portion or the knowledge of the patient, and a oor positioned Within said passageway, said floor having an inclined front for easy access to the pan and a raised inner portion to support the pan in elevated position.

2. A mattress comprising a body portion, said body portion having a recess and a passageway leading from said recess to the outer side of said mattress, shoulders attached to the inner walls of said recess and passageway, a slidable portion positioned on said shoulders, said slidable portion when in normal closed position forming with said body portion a substantially level reclining surface for a patient, said slidable portion adapted upon movement to slide outwardly on said shoulders to expose said recess, said recess and said passageway both being of sucient size below said shoulders to permit the entry and withdrawal o1' a bed pan Without movement of said slidable portion or Without the knowledge of the patient, and a oor positioned within said passageway, said floor having its front end bent downwardly and attached to the base of said mattress and forming a wide opening to said passageway for easy access to the pan, said floor inclined inwardly and upwardly from said frontend and levelling at substantially its central portion to form a level raised inner portion to support the pan in elevated position, and a support extending between the base of the mattress and the inner end of said oor for supporting said oor.

SAM HARRIS. 

